EPA Revamps Approach to Protect, Restore the Nation's Waters; Offers Opportunities for Early Public Input

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public listening session Aug. 26 on potential changes to the water quality standards (WQS) regulation before proposing a national rule. The current program, which has been in place since 1983, governs how states adopt standards under the Clean Water Act to protect their waters.  These standards are the foundation of many state run programs that restrict stormwater runoff from construction sites, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program and the Total Maximum Daily Load program. EPA has also released a new public discussion "draft strategy" for achieving clean water. The public listening session will be held via audio teleconference on August 26, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. At the session, EPA will provide a review of the current regulation and a summary of the revisions the agency is considering. Potential revisions to the national standards regulation include strengthening protection for waterways with water quality that already exceeds or meets the interim goals of the Clean Water Act; ensuring that standards reflect a continued commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight.  During the teleconference, the public can ask questions and give brief oral comments (three minutes or less), as time permits. EPA will consider the comments received as it develops the proposed rulemaking. EPA expects to publish the proposed revisions to the water quality standards regulation in summer 2011.  More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/wqs/. EPA Releases Draft Strategy for Clean Water EPA also is inviting the public to comment on its draft strategy to protect and restore our nation's lakes, streams and coastal waters. The strategy, Coming Together for Clean Water: EPA's Strategy for Achieving Clean Water, was developed by approximately 100 clean water leaders tasked with advancing the October 2009 Clean Water Action Plan, which initiated efforts to revamp the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System compliance and enforcement program.  EPA is now inviting the public to consider and provide their comments on the approaches outlined in the strategy. Public comments on the draft strategy should be submitted by September 17. EPA will review all comments and post a final strategy later in the year. More information on the draft strategy and to comment: http://blog.epa.gov/waterforum/. For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.